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Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates largely steady for the third straight week.

"Mortgage rates were little changed amid a week of light economic reports. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate remained unchanged from the previous week at 4.10 percent,” notes Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac. “Of the few releases, the ISM's manufacturing index rose to 59.0 in August from 57.1 the previous month. This was the highest reading of the index since March 2011.”

30-year-fixed-rate mortgages (FRM) averaged 4.10 percent with an average of 0.5 point for the week ending September 4, 2014, unchanged from last week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.57 percent.

15-year FRMs this week averaged 3.24 percent with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.25 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.59 percent.

5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.97 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.28 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.40 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.39 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.71 percent.

A client’s relationship with his or her real estate agent will largely determine how satisfied that customer is in the home buying or selling experience. Among first-time buyers, there is a strong need for agents to keep them comfortable and informed and offer a seamless process, according to the J.D. Power 2014 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study.

The study measures customer satisfaction among first-time and repeat home buyers and sellers with the nation’s largest real estate companies. Overall satisfaction is measured across four factors of the home-buying experience: agent/salesperson; real estate office; closing process; and variety of additional services. For satisfaction in the home-selling experience, the same four factors are evaluated plus a fifth factor, marketing.

Key data from the study conclude that although the agent-client relationship is the most important factor in determining satisfaction with buyers, for sellers, marketing of the home is the most important factor. This is because it is easier for sellers to assess how an agent is supporting the sale through tangible marketing efforts.

Overall satisfaction with real estate companies is higher among repeat customers, compared with first-time buyers or sellers. Buyers and sellers also tend to choose a real estate firm based on its reputation (30 percent of buyers, 35 percent of sellers), past experience with the agent (21 percent of buyers, 25 percent of sellers), and recommendations (24 percent of buyers, 21 percent of sellers).

Other findings include: the 2014 average listing price, $200,000, remains unchanged from 2013, the average number of open houses per listing is three, and the average number of showings to sell a home is nearly eight times.

I know that along with tax time, changing a job, and the holidays, one of the most stressful events for consumers is moving into a new dwelling. According to my sources at Connecticut Better Business Bureau, consumers who are not careful can end up with a nightmare that can take weeks or months to resolve.

BBB says consumers across the nation filed 10,762 complaints against moving and storage companies in 2013, for issues including lost or missing possessions, damaged furniture and other belongings, damage to the dwelling caused during a move, rude customer service, charges that greatly exceeded an estimate, and difficulty obtaining compensation for damaged and lost goods.

In the worst cases, consumers have had their belongings “held hostage” until they paid additional fees.

While the majority of moving companies are reputable, anyone with a truck and a website can claim to be a professional mover, according to BBB.

But the three most common reasons for problems with moving companies are consumers’ failure to thoroughly research the mover’s credentials, not preparing far enough in advance, and not buying sufficient insurance to cover their belongings.

BBB says most moving problems can be avoided by following a few tips:

Obtain three in-home estimates. Telephone estimates are notoriously unreliable. Reputable movers will want to see the layout of your rooms and furniture, as well as any obstacles on the way to the truck.

Know your rights. All movers are obliged to provide consumers with a document called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When Your Move.” It can also be found at ProtectYourMove.gov. Contact BBB and local law enforcement if the moving company fails to live up to its promises or threatens to hold your belongings hostage.

Plan early - 37 million Americans move every year, most often in May. Lock in a date two to four weeks before your move.

Understand the limits of standard insurance.

Make certain you know who you are dealing with. Look up a prospective mover’s registration at fmcsa.dot.gov, which is operated by the US Department of Transportation.

In addition, research movers at bbb.org to check other consumers’ experience and see whether there is a pattern of complaints against a particular mover.

Mornings on school days can be mayhem for families. In fact, nearly half of moms say that their children run out of time to get ready in the morning, often skipping breakfast to catch a ride to school. Beat the meltdown and ensure your child eats a well-balanced breakfast with these morning hacks.

1. Stage a path to the door the night before so everyone knows where they're going.

2. Select outfits at night. Be sure to check weather in advance and plan accordingly.

3. Pack lunches ahead of time. After dinner, pack the non-chilled items in the lunchbox and leave it on the counter for quick packing of cold items in the morning.

4. Brush teeth and wash face in the morning shower, or take baths the night before.

5. Sunshine helps you wake up. Open the shades and let the light in.

6. Place jackets and backpacks in a central location to grab on the way out. Use a hanging shoe organizer with pockets to keep essentials and accessories by the door.

7. Reward with what works for your child. For example, electronics and other activities they get to do in the car.

8. Motivate and track time with a music playlist. Everything is more fun and moves more quickly with tunes, and you can track how much time has passed.

9. Care for yourself. Have a workout bag in the car and consider getting up earlier to have some personal time before the day gets going.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) cautions the use of virtual currencies like Bitcoin, citing potential issues such as unclear costs, volatile exchange rates, scams and hacking, and companies that may not offer help or refund. The CFPB adds that anyone who encounters a problem with a virtual currency product or service can now submit a complaint with the Bureau.

“Virtual currencies may have benefits, but consumers need to be cautious and they need to be asking the right questions,” says CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “Virtual currencies are not backed by any government or central bank, and at this point, consumers are stepping into the Wild West when they engage in the market.”

Virtual currencies are designed to be an alternative to current payment systems. Better-known virtual currencies include Bitcoin, XRP, and Dogecoin. Often referred to in the industry as “digital currencies,” they are a way for people to track, store, and send payments over the Internet, and they may make payment processing cheaper or faster. However, they are not backed by any government or central bank. In addition, because virtual currency accounts are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, if a virtual currency company fails – and many have – the government will not cover the loss.

Virtual currency companies are springing up around the world to offer products and services to consumers. There are virtual currency exchanges, which are companies that help consumers buy or sell virtual currencies. There are also online “digital wallet providers,” which are companies that allow consumers to create accounts with them to store and manage their virtual currencies. Many virtual currency exchanges are also wallet providers, and vice versa.

Virtual currencies carry significant risk, including:

Exchange rates are volatile and costs unclear: The exchange rate of Bitcoins to U.S. dollars in 2013 fell as much as 61 percent in a single day. In 2014, the value of Bitcoins has dropped by as much as 80 percent in a single day. Consumers who buy virtual currencies should be prepared to weather this kind of volatility. Consumers should also consider whether there are mark-ups or other fees when using an exchange or digital wallet provider. Companies may be charging consumers to buy, spend, or accept virtual currencies.

Hackers and scammers pose serious security threats: Virtual currencies are targets for highly sophisticated hackers and scammers. Individuals, digital wallet providers, and exchanges are all at risk. For example, if a hacker gains access to a consumer’s Bitcoin “private keys,” which are 64-character codes that unlock the consumer’s funds, the consumer can lose all their virtual currency. Fraudsters are also taking advantage of the hype surrounding virtual currencies to pose as Bitcoin exchanges, Bitcoin intermediaries, and Bitcoin traders in an effort to lure consumers to send money, which is then stolen.

Companies may not offer help or refunds for lost or stolen funds: Some virtual currency companies do not identify their owners, provide phone numbers and addresses, or even specify the country in which they are located. Before using a company’s products or services, consumers should carefully consider if they know how to contact the company in question, and if they know their contractual rights. If a consumer trusts a company to hold their virtual currencies and something goes wrong, the company may not offer the kind of help the consumer would expect from a bank, debit card, or credit card provider. In fact, some virtual currency companies disclaim responsibility for consumer losses if funds are lost or stolen.

(BPT) - Autumn leaves bursting into vibrant reds, lively oranges, and brilliant yellows signal a new season for home entertaining. If you need a little inspiration, look no further than your favorite outdoor spot to update your table setting with the hottest colors for fall 2014.

“Contemporary versions of classic colors are trending in the interior design realm this fall,” says John Griffith, visual merchandiser for dinnerware retailer Replacements, Ltd. Customers frequently ask Griffith and his in-house designer for creative guidance to refresh their family heirloom pattern table settings.

“Vintage dinnerware continues to be one of the trendiest design elements in the tabletop industry,” says Griffith. “Why buy a reproduction when the real thing is readily available? Search your mother or grandmother’s china cabinet to find some of the great retro patterns. Add your own point of view when you mix and match contemporary designs to create a modern look. It’s really simple to add an accent plate, or a stand-out charger in this season’s colors to update your table for fall entertaining.”

Figural pieces, such as leaf shaped plates and serving pieces, are also very popular. Many manufacturers are offering colorful accent pieces with favorites including turkey, leaves and pumpkin motifs.

The important thing to remember is that as the season changes, so does entertaining. Gatherings may be more casual as friends and family get together around the television for the big game or by the fire pit on the patio.

Drivers everywhere can benefit from better gas mileage. Aside from saving at the pump, a well-maintained vehicle can also save you money spent on a new model. If you’ve noticed a spike on your gas receipts, it may be time to replace parts in your car that affect fuel efficiency – your tires, spark plugs, air filter and mass air flow and oxygen sensors.

Spark plugs – Help your engine run cleanly (and more efficiently) by replacing the spark plugs, which ignite air and fuel in the combustion chamber.
Air filter – Dirty air filters are most common in cars that are 10 years or older, so replace yours immediately if you’ve owned your vehicle for a long period of time.

Americans who have recently endured a prolonged power outage at home are much more likely to improve their family's emergency preparation for the future, according to a recent report.

A 2014 survey conducted by Harris Poll found almost one in four U.S. adults had endured a power outage lasting 12 hours or more in the last two years. That experience motivated two-thirds of respondents to be more prepared for future incidents, according to the survey.

"The high percentage of respondents who took action to better prepare their families and homes for future emergency situations really underscores the level of frustration a power outage can cause families who aren't properly prepared," said Amanda Grandy of Briggs & Stratton, commissioners of the survey.

When you have advance warning of a potential loss of power, which is often caused by a strong weather system, there are many steps families can take to minimize the stress it can cause. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you create an emergency preparedness plan with a checklist of items:

Make sure your gas tank is full

Fill plastic bags with water and place them in the freezer

Stop by the bank to ensure you have some cash on hand

Fill prescriptions that are approaching their refill date

Disasters, however, don't always come with prior notice, so having an emergency kit prepared ahead of time is the surest way to protect your family. Be sure to include items such as:

A three-day supply of non-perishable food

Adequate water (a gallon per person, per day)

First aid supplies

Matches

Battery-powered radio

Flashlights

Extra batteries

Essential toiletry items, such as toothbrush and paste

An expanded list of items to consider when packing your emergency supply kit can be found at www.fema.gov.

Pattern and texture are essential to interior design. Whether on a fabulous set of nature-inspired pillows or a chunky knit throw blanket, the right mix of patterns and textures creates symmetry and visual interest. Incorporating pattern can be especially intimidating to homeowners who fear the end result will be a room full of mismatched pieces.

To prevent your space from pattern overload, stick to the rule of threes. Aside from balancing a room, combining patterns in threes lends a designer’s touch of sophistication.

1. Choose a dominant pattern. This is typically a large-scale print found on wallpapers, rugs, sofas or other big pieces of upholstered furniture.

2. Add a secondary pattern. Think about outfitting smaller surface areas, such as drapes and side chairs, with a pattern that color-coordinates with your dominant choice.

3. Use a third pattern sparingly. This pattern applies to accents, such as pillows, table linens, lamp shades, and ottomans that can be swapped out in a snap. Reserve on-trend patterns for these accessories.

Most Americans would agree that eating healthfully should be a priority in their daily lives, but what truly drives consumers to choose healthy items over the potentially more enticing, yet unhealthy options? Are consumers still in the mindset that restaurant visits don't warrant healthy eating?

Recent research finds that more often than not, diners eat with their eyes, not their stomachs – 38 percent of adults agree that if a healthy menu item sounds tasty in the menu description, they are more likely to order it.

Moreover, some 27 percent of consumers say they like to order healthy meals with ingredients they are familiar with. "For consumers who are often on the fence for healthy or indulgent eating, familiarity can help ease them into healthier choices, rather than alienating them with superfoods they have not heard of or have a reputation for lackluster taste,” says Katrina Fajardo, food service analyst at Mintel Group.

So how do Americans define healthy dining? Nine percent agree a menu item that includes a "gluten-free" mention denotes a healthy choice, and 39 percent think entrees with more fruits and vegetables come across as healthy. Meanwhile, 37 percent believe an item with a low calorie count is a healthy option, and 34 percent think a dish with less sodium is considered healthy.

"One of the possible reasons for consumers' indecisiveness on healthy foods in restaurants is the fact that food service still has the stigma of being unhealthy, regardless of what is ordered. As a result of the numerous exposés showing the real caloric counts in salads, sandwiches, and other menu items deemed as 'healthy,' consumers are conflicted with the idea that a restaurant could offer real, healthy items,” adds Fajardo. “In addition, the overwhelming amount of healthy-eating knowledge available to consumers can be overbearing, and skew the way they are personally defining health.”

Nearly one out of every four U.S. consumers is not interested in eating healthfully when they go out to eat, because they view away-from-home visits as a treat. Similarly, about a quarter of consumers mentioned that they look at the more healthy options, but opt for the unhealthy meals instead.